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5 Tips to manage user-reported bug reports: Bug reporting workflow tricks

-by
Akil Natchimuthu
,
Dec 23, 2022
5 Tips to manage user-reported bug reports: Bug reporting workflow tricks

There are few things more frustrating than finding a software bug, only to have no way of fixing it. User-reported bugs (URBs) are a major source of frustration for software developers and testers, because they can be difficult to track and fix. In this guide, we'll outline the best ways to manage URBs effectively so that you can resolve them as quickly as possible. So read on, and learn how to manage user bug reports in a way that keeps both you and your team happy!


How does a user-reported bug report look like?

A user-reported bug report typically looks something like this:


The user submits a screenshot of the bug, along with any relevant information. This can include the version number of the software, what steps they took to reproduce the bug, and anything else that may help reproduce or identify the bug.


The severity of the bug is determined, and if it is deemed to be a major release or critical issue, then a higher priority is assigned to resolving it as soon as possible. If it is deemed to be a minor release or non-critical issue, then it may receive less attention.


If the bug is deemed to be an exploit or malware infection, then a response plan will be put into action in order to minimize the damage caused by the bug.


Tips to manage user-reported bug reports

Create a Bug Reporting Workflow:

The first step in managing user-reported bugs effectively is to create a bug reporting workflow. This will outline the steps that need to be followed in order to receive, track, and resolve URBs.


Here are some tips that will help you create a bug reporting workflow:


1. Create a dedicated bug reporting page - Make sure to create a page on your website or application that is specifically designated for bug reporting. This page should include information about the bug, how to report it, and any other relevant details. You could make use of a feedback widget in thus case. A good feedback


2. Include instructions on how to report bugs - Provide clear instructions on how to report bugs so that users are able to submit their reports easily and without any confusion.


3. Make sure to track the progress of bug reports - Keep track of the progress of all bug reports so that you can determine whether or not the issue has been resolved and what needs to be done next.


4. Provide support forbug reporters - Make sure to provide support for bug reporters so that they are able to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.


By following these tips, you will be able to create a bug reporting workflow that is effective and efficient.


Create Standard Bug Reporting Guidelines

Once you have created your bug reporting workflow, it is essential that you establish standard guidelines for how reports should be handled. This will help ensure consistency across all departments within your company, and help reduce the time needed to resolve URBs.

When creating standard guidelines, make sure to consider the severity of the bug as well as how the bug affects users. This will help you determine the appropriate level of response necessary.


Evaluate Bug Reports on a Regular Basis

Evaluating bug reports on a regular basis is an important part of maintaining a healthy product. By doing this, you'll be able to identify and address any issues as quickly as possible, preventing them from becoming bigger and more complex. Here are a few tips for how to do this:


1. Make a list of the most common issues - Once you've created your bug report template, start by compiling a list of the most common issues that users are reporting. This will help you to better prioritise your work and ensure that you're addressing the most pressing issues.


2. Analyse the data - Once you've compiled your list of issues, it's time to start analysing the data. This will help you to identify patterns and trends, which will help you to better understand where the problems lie and how to address them.


3. Respond quickly - Once you've analysed the data, it's time to start responding quickly to users' requests. By doing this, you'll be able to keep your product afloat while you work on resolving the underlying problems.


By following these simple tips, you'll be able to keep your product healthy and running smoothly - ensuring that your users have the best experience possible!


Implement a Bug Prioritization System

A bug prioritization system is a great way to manage and prioritize your bug fix backlog. By using a bug prioritization system, you will be able to better focus your bug fix efforts. Here are some tips on how to implement a bug prioritization system:


1. Define the scope of your project - Before you start working on your project, you need to have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve. This will help you determine the scope of your project and decide which bugs should be fixed first.


2. Assign bugs to teams - Once you have defined the scope of your project, it is time to assign bugs to teams. This will help ensure that the correct team is focused on fixing the specific bug.


3. Set priorities - Once you have assigned bugs to teams and determined their respective priorities, it is time to set priorities. This will help you decide which bugs should be fixed first and which can wait until later.


4. Fix the bugs that need fixing - Once you have determined the priorities and fixed the bugs that need fixing, it is time to move on to other projects. By following these four simple steps, you will be able to create a bug prioritization system that will help improve your overall bug fix process.


Keep track of progress

Keeping track of progress of bug reports is an important part of ensuring that your software is as bug-free as possible. By tracking the status of bug reports, you can quickly identify any issues and address them accordingly. Here are a few tips for tracking bug reports:


1. Use a bug tracking system - A bug tracking system can help you keep track of all the bugs that have been reported, as well as the progress of those reports. This will make it much easier to quickly identify and address any issues.


2. Use a dashboard to track progress - A dashboard should display different information about each bug, including the status (open, closed, in progress), the date it was filed, and the time it was last updated. This will help you track the progress of each report and ensure that all issues are being addressed promptly.


3. Automate reporting - If you have a team of developers working on your software, it can be helpful to have automated reporting set up so that each developer is automatically notified when a new bug is filed or an issue is resolved. This way, everyone is kept up to date andBug-free software is just a matter of time!


All in all, there is no denying that managing user-reported software bugs effectively can have a positive impact on your company's revenue as well as customers' trust levels.


Conclusion

To ensure that you are able to handle the situation efficiently and maintain good customer satisfaction, make sure you follow the steps we discussed above. Whichever one you choose, one thing is for sure – positive changes will start rolling in soon!